An LTU is self-contained tax office under the Department of Revenue acting as a single window clearance point for all matters relating to Central Excise, Income Tax/ Corporate Tax and Service Tax. Eligible Tax Payerswho opt for assessment in LTU shall be able to file their excise return, direct taxes returns and service tax return at such LTUs and for all practical purposes will be assessed to all these taxes there under. These units are being equipped with modern facilities and trained manpower to assist the tax payers in all matters relating direct and indirect tax/ duty payments, filing of documents and returns, claim of rebates/ refunds, settlement of disputes etc.

This office that would deal with Central Excise/ Service Tax/ Income Tax/ Corporation Tax issues of all units holding a single PAN. It also provides certain tangible advantageous (such as duty free movement of goods across the different units/ premises of a PAN holder, transfer of credit amount from one such premises to other); to ensure time bound disposal of refund claims and dispute settlements; and to follow single set of simple procedures for all units. The underlying commitment is of providing better service to the taxpayer, through personalized attention, quality of service, transparency in transactions and cordial atmosphere. This will reduce tax compliance cost, reduce delays and ensure uniformity in the matters of tax/ duty determination.

III Benefit/ Facilities offered

(i) A large taxpayer (single PAN-based entity) can file all his direct taxes, excise and service tax returns at a single place, irrespective of the geographical location of their units.

(ii) All other documents, correspondence, intimations such as export / import related central excise documents, bonds, proof of exports, etc. pertaining to all these establishment can be filed with LTUs.

(iii) To begin with, the returns of the company and its units can be filed electronically and the payment of tax/duty can be made electronically. Gradually, these units would be provided with required software and infrastructure so that other documentations, such as filing of rebate/ refund claims, filing of intimations or permission, reply to notices can also be done electronically.

(iv) Digital signature certificates can be issued on request by the Department, free-of-charge, to facilitate electronic transaction. There would be no requirement for filing a parallel paper document.

(v) Upon joining the LTU, an officer of the level of Assistant / Deputy / Joint / Additional Commissioner would be appointed as ‘client executive’ for each taxpayer. The taxpayer can remain in touch with the client executive for assistance in any/all tax matters (for example for returns filing, classification issues, intimation matters relating to refund/rebate, exports, other claims, etc). This would ensure that the taxpayer need not interact with different section / officers of the LTU.

(vi) Once a taxpayer opts for the scheme, the erstwhile jurisdictional field officers (including preventive units of the erstwhile Excise Commissionerates) would not suo motu visit its units or interact with them for any issues arising. However certain procedures under the Central Excise Rules, requiring physical control, and verification of premises or documents, would be carried out by the local Commissioniorates under the express directions of the LTU. Further, in respect of excise and service tax matters, on-going investigation, appeals, provisional assessments that had commenced prior to the large taxpayer opting for LTU would continue to be with the erstwhile jurisdictional Commissionerate.

(vii) Cases, where show cause / demand notices have been issued by the erstwhile jurisdictional officers but not adjudicated, would stand transferred to LTU and the same would be adjudicated by officers posted at LTU. All pending matters with the jurisdictional Commisionerates of Income-tax, other than those with CIT(Appeals) would stand transferred to the LTU.

(viii) The taxpayer would have the option to transfer any excess CENVAT credit (of central excise duty or service tax) accumulated in one manufacturing unit or service providing unit to any other eligible unit of his choice through a simple mechanism. Necessary changes in the Cenvat Credit Rule, 2004 are being made.

(ix) The taxpayer would have the facility of removing capital goods and inputs from one unit to any other unit of its choice, without payment of duty / reversal of credit through a simple method. Similarly the finished product of one unit can be transferred to another unit, without payment of duty, provided the second unit uses the products as inputs and pays excise duty on the finished goods manufactured using such inputs.

(x)The taxpayers would not be subjected to mandatory audit. The selection of a taxpayer for audit would be based on ‘risk assessment’. The Department would ensure that audit schedules are drawn in consultation with the taxpayers so as to cause minimum inconvenience.

(xi) The taxpayers would do self-sealing in case of all exports. In order to ensure that there is no delay in examination and sealing by the officer, the requirement of examination / sealing by the officers at the units of taxpayer is dispensed with.

(xii) It would be ensured that there is uniformity in the practice as regards classification, valuation, credit availment and similar other issues, for various units of a taxpayer. Trade notices will be issued centrally by the LTU.

(xiii) The rebate / refund claims would be disposed off within 30 days of their filing, if the claims filed are in order.

(xiv) With respect to income-tax specifically, facilities would be provided for on-line submission of returns, e-payment of taxes, electronic credit of income-tax refunds, and on-line filing of grievances and appeals.

I suppose at present facilities of LTU is available in Five big cities of the country viz. delhi,Chennai,Banglore, kolkata & Mumbai.